Uganda Cranes march on after comprehensive victory over South Sudan | TOTAL CHAN 2018 Qualifiers

TOTAL CHAN 2018  KENYA CHAMPIONSHIP:

Qualifiers (1^st Round, 2^nd Leg):

Uganda Cranes 5-1 South Sudan (Agg: 5-1)

Rwanda 0-0 Tanzania (Agg: 1-1) *Rwanda advances on away goal rule

Uganda Cranes humiliated neighbors South Sudan 5-1 during the return leg of the Total CHAN championship qualifiers at the Phillip Omondi stadium, Kampala on Saturday.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) striker Paul Mucureezi single handedly led the assault with 4 goals.

Derrick Nsibambi headed home the first goal of the day  after 33 minutes after a great cross from the right by Nico Wakiro Wadada.

Nsibambi suffered a head injury after he was hit by the goalkeeper Khamis Daniel Dak.

Moments later, Nsibambi paved way for the four goal hero, Mucureezi.

Mucureezi scored in the 43rd, 49th, 53rd and 59th minutes.

“I am very happy to have scored on my debut. I dedicate these goals to my parents in Ntungamo. I was inspired by coach Micho who told me to play well for the people of Kabale who expressed love for Uganda Cranes during the regional tours” Mucureezi said in the post match press conference.

Uganda has previously played at the CHAN Tournament on three occasions in 2012 (Sudan), 2014 (South Africa) and lately 2016 in Rwanda.

The Championship of African Nations (CHAN) football tournament is only reserved for the locally based players who ply their trade in domestic leagues of the respective countries.

The match in Kampala was watched by the FUFA Executive committee member Rogers Byamukama, 3rd FUFA VP Dennis Mbidde, delegates and a mammoth crowd.

The Government was represented by the State Minister for Sports Hon. Charles Bakabulindi, Minister in charge of Kampala, Betty Kamya.

A number of parliamentarians graced the match.

Uganda Cranes thus progress to the second round of the qualifiers.

Uganda will play Rwanda who advanced on away goal’s rule after a goal-less draw in the second leg in Kigali.

The eventual winner of the second round tie will qualify for the final tournament in Kenya come 2018.

Team Line ups:

Uganda Cranes XI: Ismael Watenga (GK), Nico Wakiro Wadada, Isaac  Muleme, Savio Kabugo, Timothy Awanyi, Benard Muwanga, Milton Kariisa, Moses Waiswa (77’ Tom Masiko), Derrick Nsibambi (36’ Paul Mucureezi), Muzamiru Mutyaba (61’ Simon Sserunkuma), Shafiq Kagimu

Subs not used: Saidi Keni (GK), Paul Musamali, Nicholas Kasozi, Geoffrey Sserunkuma

South Sudan XI: Khamis Daniel Dak (G.K), Yassir  Khemis Cellestin, Abdu Awad Lemi, Salah Abubakar, David Omot Sebit, Peter Chol Bentiu, Robert Wurube Lopidia, Sebit Ajak Bol (60′ Farouq Tajedin), Daniel Oliver Boki (Joseph Celestino Oyuru), Leon Khamis Uso, James Joseph Saeed (71′ Stephen John Samson)

Subs Not used: Joseph Robert Adu (G.K), James Anei Mateil, Emmanuel Thomas Lumari, John Albino

Match Officials:

• Center Referee: Elly Ally Sasii (Tanzania)
• 1^st Assistant Referee: Josephat Deu Bulali (Tanzania)
• 2^nd Assistant Referee: John Longino Kanyenye (Tanzania)
• Reserve Referee: Israel Omusingi Njunwa Mujuni (Tanzania)
• Match Commissioner: Muhsin Ali Rajab (Zanzibar)
• Referees Assessor: Yohannes Ghirmai (Eritrea)